This hobby started off with a bang! This was a pretty complicated pattern to start out with, but once I did it, I figured I could do just about anything!

This is a "Belle Epoque" ensemble, dating to the 1890's; something this fancy would most likely be for a ball or some other formal occasion, and in these shades of bright cherry red, I envisioned a Valentines' ball for this fashionable lady.

The doll came to me with the red "crystal" drop earrings--very inspirational for something Victorian or Edwardian. I hand-beaded the necklace with clear "crystal" seed beads and heart pendant.

The ensemble consists of a gown in three, separate, and removable parts: bodice, skirt, and bustle/train combination, as well as a petticoat, hat, and purse. The material used throughout is satin, while the front of the bodice and sleeves, hat, and bustle/train have a red lace overlay. The bodice is embellished with period details, including white lace at wrists and throat, poufed and gathered sleeves with red satin rosettes at the elbows, and ribbon, beaded fringe and another rosette gather the bodice-front.

The bustle is of poufed red satin overlaid with red lace, while the red satin train is appliqued with lace roses. This entire combination is attached by snaps to the back of the skirt, and can be removed to change the look--trains on wedding dresses today are often detachable like this, and it's likely that the period in which these were invented would have also allowed such options.

Finally, no ensemble of the period would be complete without a "picture" hat resplendent with flowers, bows and feathers--the more flamboyant the better!

I have to say that the hats are my favorite things to make--they are very tiny and tricky, but decorating them is a lot of fun, and they really add to the outfit.